Partition mount with extended-length head

Abstract

A mounting system mitigates or eliminates sags or gaps between an installed curtain and an abutting surface such as a wall or ceiling. The system accomplishes this in a manner that avoids permanent damage to the wall or ceiling surface. A head is provided having an elongated body and a compressible curtain interface. A spring-loaded adjustable pole is configured to urge the head against the curtain and abutting surface. In this manner, the curtain is made to conform to the abutting surface, and gaps are thereby mitigated or eliminated between mounting jacks.

We claim: 
     
       1. A mount comprising:
 an elongated body having a longitudinal axis; 
 a curtain interface positioned at a top surface of the body; 
 a coupler adapted for coupling the elongated body to a mounting member, the mounting member having a longitudinal axis, the coupler including an interface adapted to receive the mounting member, a coupling position of the coupler being adjustable over a range of positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the body, the coupler including a guide mechanism that limits rotation of the body relative to the mounting member to a single degree of rotation, permitting the longitudinal axis of the body to rotate relative to the mounting member in a common rotational plane; and 
 the mounting member comprising an adjustable-length pole, the body being rotatable relative to the mounting member, the mounting member including a compression mechanism along the longitudinal axis thereof, the mounting member being of a sufficient length to be fixed between a first surface of a room and a second surface of the room, the compression mechanism configured to urge the curtain interface toward one of the first surface and the second surface of the room when under compression between the first and second surfaces of the room to retain the mounting member and body in a fixed position relative to the first and second surfaces of the room. 
 
     
     
       2. The mount of  claim 1  wherein the curtain interface comprises a compressible material. 
     
     
       3. The mount of  claim 2  wherein the compressible material is one selected from the group of materials consisting of foam, polyurethane foam, extruded vinyl, and rubber strips. 
     
     
       4. The mount of  claim 1  wherein the body comprises a rail. 
     
     
       5. The mount of  claim 4  wherein the rail includes a U-shaped slot and wherein the curtain interface is mounted in the slot. 
     
     
       6. The mount of  claim 4  wherein the rail comprises an extrusion. 
     
     
       7. The mount of  claim 1  wherein the coupler is removably mountable to the body. 
     
     
       8. The mount of  claim 7  wherein the coupler further includes quick-release arms that engage a feature on the body for removably mounting the coupler to the body. 
     
     
       9. The mount of  claim 1  wherein the position of the coupler on the body can be adjusted variably. 
     
     
       10. The mount of  claim 1  wherein the position of the coupler is determined according to indexed positions on the body. 
     
     
       11. The mount of  claim 1  wherein the interface of the coupler is adapted to receive the mounting member. 
     
     
       12. The mount of  claim 11  wherein the coupler includes one of a ball and a socket joint for receiving a corresponding one of a socket and a ball joint of the mounting member. 
     
     
       13. The mount of  claim 12  wherein the guide mechanism of the coupler further includes a retainer for preventing lateral rotation of the body relative to the mounting member. 
     
     
       14. The mount of  claim 13  wherein the ball joint of the mounting member further includes a flange having a flat surface for interfacing with the retainers for preventing horizontal pivot of the body about the mounting member. 
     
     
       15. The mount of  claim 1  wherein a length of the body is substantially greater than a width of the body. 
     
     
       16. The mount of  claim 15  wherein the length of the body is at least 1 ft. 
     
     
       17. A mounting system comprising:
 an adjustable-length pole, the pole including a compression mechanism to allow for compression along a longitudinal axis thereof; 
 an elongated body having a longitudinal axis; 
 a curtain interface positioned at a top surface of the body; and 
 a coupler for rotatably coupling the pole to the body, the coupler including quick-release handles operatively coupled with retention tabs that engage the body for removably mounting the coupler to the body, and a guide mechanism that prevents horizontal pivot and lateral rotation of the body relative to the pole, while permitting longitudinal rotation of the body relative to the pole, 
 wherein the adjustable-length pole is of a sufficient length to be fixed between a first surface of a room and a second surface of the room, the compression mechanism configured to urge the curtain interface toward one of the first surface and the second surface of the room when under compression between the first and second surfaces of the room to retain the adjustable-length pole and body in a fixed position relative to the first and second surfaces of the room. 
 
     
     
       18. The mounting system of  claim 17  wherein the coupler rotatably couples the pole to the body such that the longitudinal axis of pole is parallel to, or lies in, a rotational plane of the longitudinal axis of the body. 
     
     
       19. The mounting system of  claim 17  wherein the coupler removably couples the pole to the body. 
     
     
       20. The mounting system of  claim 17  wherein the curtain interface comprises a compressible material. 
     
     
       21. The mounting system of  claim 20  wherein the compressible material is one selected form the group of materials consisting of foam, polyurethane foam, extruded vinyl, and rubber strips. 
     
     
       22. The mounting system of  claim 17  wherein the body comprises a rail. 
     
     
       23. The mounting system of  claim 22  wherein the rail includes a U-shaped slot and wherein the curtain interface is mounted in the slot. 
     
     
       24. The mounting system of  claim 22  wherein the rail comprises an extrusion. 
     
     
       25. The mounting system of  claim 17  wherein the coupler is removably mountable to the body. 
     
     
       26. The mounting system of  claim 25  wherein the coupler further includes quick-release arms that engage a feature on the body for removably mounting the coupler to the body. 
     
     
       27. The mounting system of  claim 17  wherein the position of the coupler is adjustable relative to the longitudinal axis of the body. 
     
     
       28. The mounting system of  claim 27  wherein the position of the coupler on the body can be adjusted variably. 
     
     
       29. The mounting system of  claim 27  wherein the position of the coupler is determined according to indexed positions on the body. 
     
     
       30. The mounting system of  claim 17  wherein the coupler includes a socket for receiving a ball joint of the pole. 
     
     
       31. The mounting system of  claim 30  wherein the coupler further includes a retainer for preventing lateral rotation of the body relative to the pole. 
     
     
       32. The mounting system of  claim 31  wherein the ball joint of the pole further includes a flange having a flat surface for interfacing with the retainers for preventing horizontal pivot of the body about the pole. 
     
     
       33. The mounting system of  claim 17  wherein a length of the body is substantially greater than a width of the body. 
     
     
       34. The mounting system of  claim 33  wherein the length of the body is at least 1 ft. 
     
     
       35. The mounting system of  claim 17  wherein the coupler comprises a hinge that rotatably couples the body relative to the pole. 
     
     
       36. The mounting system of  claim 17  wherein the coupler is constructed and arranged so that an inward force applied to the quick-release handles causes the retention tabs to flex outward so the coupler can be mounted to the body and so that when the inward force is released, the coupler is secured to the body by the retention tabs. 
     
     
       37. A curtain mounting system comprising:
 a curtain; 
 a first curtain mount including a curtain coupler of a first length and a first adjustable-length pole, the curtain coupler configured to couple a first portion of the curtain at a first end of the first adjustable-length pole; and 
 a second curtain mount, comprising: 
 a second adjustable-length pole; 
 an elongated body having a longitudinal axis, the elongated body of a second length substantially greater than the first length of the curtain coupler; 
 a curtain interface at an upper surface of the elongated body; 
 a coupler that couples the second adjustable-length pole to the elongated body so that the elongated body is rotatable relative to the second adjustable-length pole; and 
 a compression mechanism between the curtain interface and a base of the second adjustable-length pole opposite the curtain interface, 
 wherein the second adjustable-length pole is of a sufficient length to be fixed between a first surface of a room and a second surface of the room, the compression mechanism configured to urge the curtain interface toward one of the first surface and the second surface of the room when under compression between the first and second surfaces of the room to retain the second adjustable-length pole and the elongated body in a fixed position relative to the first and second surfaces of the room. 
 
     
     
       38. The curtain mounting system of  claim 37  wherein the coupler limits lateral rotation of the elongated body relative to the second adjustable-length pole, while permitting rotation of the elongated body relative to the second adjustable-length pole in another direction of rotation. 
     
     
       39. The curtain mounting system of  claim 37  wherein a coupling position of the coupler is adjustable over a range of positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body. 
     
     
       40. The mounting system of  claim 37  wherein the coupler rotatably couples the second adjustable-length pole to the body such that the longitudinal axis of the second adjustable-length pole is parallel to, or lies in, a rotational plane of the longitudinal axis of the body. 
     
     
       41. The mounting system of  claim 37  wherein the coupler removably couples the second adjustable-length pole to the body. 
     
     
       42. The mounting system of  claim 37  wherein the curtain interface comprises a compressible material. 
     
     
       43. The mounting system of  claim 42  wherein the compressible material is one selected form the group of materials consisting of foam, polyurethane foam, extruded vinyl, and rubber strips. 
     
     
       44. The mounting system of  claim 37  wherein the body comprises a rail. 
     
     
       45. The mounting system of  claim 44  wherein the rail includes a U-shaped slot and wherein the curtain interface is mounted in the slot. 
     
     
       46. The mounting system of  claim 44  wherein the rail comprises an extrusion. 
     
     
       47. The mounting system of  claim 37  wherein the coupler is removably mountable to the body. 
     
     
       48. The mounting system of  claim 47  wherein the coupler further includes quick-release arms that engage a feature on the body for removably mounting the coupler to the body. 
     
     
       49. The mounting system of  claim 37  wherein the position of the coupler is adjustable relative to the longitudinal axis of the body. 
     
     
       50. The mounting system of  claim 49  wherein the position of the coupler on the body can be adjusted variably. 
     
     
       51. The mounting system of  claim 49  wherein the position of the coupler is determined according to indexed positions on the body. 
     
     
       52. The mounting system of  claim 37  wherein the coupler includes a socket for receiving a ball joint of the second adjustable-length pole. 
     
     
       53. The mounting system of  claim 52  wherein the coupler further includes a retainer for preventing lateral rotation of the body relative to the second adjustable-length pole. 
     
     
       54. The mounting system of  claim 53  wherein the ball joint of the second adjustable-length pole further includes a flange having a flat surface for interfacing with the retainers for preventing horizontal pivot of the body about the second adjustable-length pole. 
     
     
       55. The mounting system of  claim 37  wherein a length of the body is substantially greater than a width of the body. 
     
     
       56. The mounting system of  claim 55  wherein the length of the body is at least 1 ft. 
     
     
       57. The mounting system of  claim 37  wherein the coupler comprises a hinge that rotatably couples the body relative to the second adjustable-length pole. 
     
     
       58. A mount comprising:
 an elongated body having a longitudinal axis, 
 a curtain interface coupled to an upper surface of the body; 
 a coupler adapted for coupling the elongated body to a mounting member, the coupler including an interface adapted to receive the mounting member, a coupling position of the coupler being adjustable over a range of positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the body; and 
 a mounting member comprising an adjustable-length pole, the body being rotatable relative to the mounting member, the mounting member including a compression mechanism along a longitudinal axis thereof, the mounting member being of a sufficient length to be fixed between a first surface of a room and a second surface of the room, the compression mechanism configured to urge the curtain interface toward one of the first surface and the second surface of the room when under compression between the first and second surfaces of the room to retain the mounting member and body in a fixed position relative to the first and second surfaces of the room, 
 wherein the position of the coupler is determined according to indexed positions on the body. 
 
     
     
       59. A mounting system comprising:
 an adjustable-length pole, the pole including a compression mechanism to allow for compression along a longitudinal axis thereof; 
 an elongated body having a longitudinal axis; 
 a curtain interface coupled to an upper surface of the body; and 
 a coupler for rotatably coupling the pole to the body, the coupler limiting lateral rotation of the body relative to the pole, while permitting rotation of the body relative to the pole in another direction of rotation, 
 wherein the adjustable-length pole is of a sufficient length to be fixed between a first surface of a room and a second surface of the room, the compression mechanism configured to urge the curtain interface toward one of the first surface and the second surface of the room when under compression between the first and second surfaces of the room to retain the adjustable-length pole and body in a fixed position relative to the first and second surfaces of the room, and 
 wherein the position of the coupler is determined according to indexed positions on the body.